Mall Parking Lots

"Those who cannot remember the past will spend a lot of time looking for their cars in mall parking lots!" (Jay Trachman) But what happens when someone does find their car in a mall parking only to see that it has been severely damaged by a hit-n-run driver? What if the person does not have collision coverage? Such was the plight of Ruben last Saturday leaving Town Center Mall. Calling, dejected from the Mall Parking lot I was able to assure him that since the damage was caused by another vehicle and not a shopping cart that we could classify the claim under his uninsured motorist coverage. What was more relieving to Ruben was we wrote this coverage with no deductible. So while you may forget where you parked your car you'll remember how the Schlosser Agency took care of you!

Why Do We Inspect Your Home?

You probably have a newly placed roof, while your neighbor has not replaced theirs in 20+ years and it is looking bad! Your neighbor called in a claim to his current insurance company and they denied it saying, "This is not hail damage... your roof is just old." So your neighbor switches to a new company (your company) then it rains and he files a claim with the new company. They subsequently replace the roof and this in turn increases your rate!

In addition to inspecting for potential maintenance issues, we are looking for potential hazards to others, like missing handrails and cracks in your sidewalks. This helps us reduce the number of liability claims. By inspecting every property before insuring it, American Family prevents many frivolous claims, saving you $ in the long run!

Facts on Flood Insurance - Part One

Less than 1/5 of U.S. homeowners have a flood insurance policy. Yet, according to the Insurance Information Institute the sad reality is that four out of every five natural disasters nationwide involve flooding. From 2008 to present day, at least one flood disaster has been declared in each of American Family's 19 operating states. Have you talked to you agent about flood insurance?

Not Something to Crack-up About!

With our ever increasing dependency on cell phones... smartphones to be precise... people are looking to replace them when broken at the cheapest cost, and quick! Some people have even made claims on their homeowner's insurance as they believe there to be coverage under the 'Computers and Electronics' Endorsement.

American Family does not recognize this type of loss as covered. However, while some of our competitors will pay the claim and buy you a new phone, it may not be the smartest idea. Claims will stay on your Property Claims Loss Report for up to 5 years which means that you will most likely have a surcharge once your policy renews. What would be a better option is to purchase the insurance offered by your cell phone provider or just save up for that unfortunate day when, instead of butt dialing your Nana you crack the face of your iPhone sitting down on that not so soft chair at IKEA!

Are You Prepared?

Baden Powell the founder of Boy Scouts said, “A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.” My adage, “the unexpected always happens, expect it.” Someone will get in a car wreck at the MOST inconvenient time and it will most likely not be their fault. That is why Rental Reimbursement at the cost of approximately $1 a week can be a true time & money saver. A wreck that would otherwise leave an individual stranded 7 hours away from home now places him at Enterprise Rent-a-car 7 miles away. The rule of thumb is, if the car is sound enough to go on a long trip it makes financial sense to add rental reimbursement. I’m a great referral for a Know-it-All Friend who has more than one car. He’ll tell me, No Tommy, I don’t need that coverage until he hears the story that triggered this info-minute. Connect us through a three way e-mail and he’ll reply with a Thank You.

Rental Cars & Insurance - Part 2

Unlike some other States, if you drive a vehicle with no comprehensive or collision coverage in GA the Insured's Insurance company (the guy that hit you's company) is NOT obligated to pay for the additional insurance on the rental car. Now some companies out of courtesy or because of practices in their other states may offer it, but they are not required to do so. Now because your car has already been in an altercation it would be unethical to add coverage to your vehicle till it is out of the shop... so what are you left to do in this situation? Buy the Insurance! The coverage in this case that you should be most concerned with is called Collision Damage Waiver or simply Damage Waiver. This covers the physical damage to the rental car.

The Value of An Agent

Our Agency had a recent claims experience where the customer's vehicle went to a manufacturer's shop due to a flood claim with subsequent electrical issues. In a survey after the claim was resolved here is what the client had to say when asked the question 'Suggestions on how we can improve?'

"Took three and a half weeks to get my car back and the repairs were completed in a week and a half or two weeks. So a week and a half of the adjuster and the car company playing phone tag seems a little excessive to me. My agent is wonderful. As soon as I got him involved it was resolved immediately. All in all I'm happy with AMFAM. Like I said it was excessive, the amount of time that it took to get my car repaired and it was not because it wasn't repaired. It was because it wasn't paid."

This is one of the things you get when you hire me as your agent!

Princess Peach & Grandma's Earrings

In the own going saga of Mario the Mortgage Man, let me introduce, Princess Peach! She lives in Cobb County and although she calls it her castle, to you and me it’s just a two story colonial. She’s 34 years old and stays at home mom with three kids all under the age of eight. Her grandmother passed away recently and left her, as you can see, some of the family jewelry. She’ll wants to meet me because when she got the jewelry she didn’t tell her current insurance agent which means it’s probably not insured and she would be petrified if she could replace her now favorite earrings. If you see or know her... make sure she connects with us on facebook by sending her this link, http://on.fb.me/i9tVCT

Water, Water, Everywhere

We had our own water claim this weekend, but not because of Friday's rain, our neighbor sprung a leak! Have you ever had a claims experience?

Brett's Claim Experience

Hear what Brett of Kennesaw, GA says about his recent claims experience!